Overnight Fire Injures Two in Mendham

UPDATE:

Homeowner and mother treated for smoke inhalation and released.

Chester firefighter with chest pains still undergoing tests.

Another firefighter suffered burns and was treated at the scene and released.

Investigation suspended due to instability of the structure.

A fire broke out in the basement of 16 Browning Court just after midnight on Tuesday and it took the combined forces of the Fire Departments from Brookside, Ralston, Mendham Borough, Chester, Randolph, New Vernon, Peapack, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and Flanders to put it out.

According to officials, the fire was first detected by the home owner of the brown two-story colonial and when he went to investigate, the 58-year old was confronted by a wall of smoke coming from his basement.

“He got himself out and he got his mother out,” said Brookside Engine Company #1 Assistant Fire Chief Peter Staples. “So they were well out when we arrived.”

Staples was the first officer on the scene, and said after preparing the teams for entry, the battle began.

"We were pushed back by smoke and heat," Staples said. "So we were never able to make entry on the initial attempt."

As more support from surrounding towns arrived the plan evolved.Taking out portions of the roof, windows and walls, the fire departments worked to clear some of the smoke.

"We tried to ventelate it," Staples said. "But by the time we did much of the floor had collapsed."

The first floor was mostly gone by the time Chester fireman Matt Slack and his team attempted to enter.

"My first step my foot sunk into water and I know it was going to be a tough one," Slack said. "You could see the fire rolling across the corner and above you."

The partially collapsed floor made movement difficult.

"There were so many wires hanging from where the floor collapsed," said Slack. "They would rip off your helmet and get tangled in your gear if you tried to move through them."

The homeowner and his 91-year-old mother were transported to Saint Barnabus for smoke inhalation by the Mendham First Aid Squad. A Chester firefighter complaining of chest pains was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to Staples, the fire did not seem suspicious, but the investigation was ongoing.

Editor's note: This is a developing story, check back for updates as they come in.